Viola Beach car crash: four members of British band and manager killed in Sweden
THE families of members of British band Viola Beach have paid tribute to the men who died along with their manager after their car plunged off a bridge in Sweden.
Music
Don't miss out on the headlines from Music. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A BRITISH pop band and their manager were killed when their car plunged more than 24 metres off a bridge into a canal in Sweden.
The men, aged between 20 and 35, died when their car veered off the bridge, smashed into a road barrier and plunged into the water.
Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin along with their manager Craig Tarry are believed to have lost their lives.
Viola Beach were due to play in Guildford, Surrey last night but the gig was cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
“We can confirm that our son Craig, along with four members of the band Viola Beach, were involved in a fatal accident in the early hours of Saturday morning,” said a statement issued by the family of manager Craig Tarry.
“Craig was a warm, loving person who had worked tirelessly to achieve success and follow his dreams within the music industry,” it added.
The family of guitarist River Reeves said they were “heartbroken” by the news. “Viola Beach were on such an exciting journey and River could not have been happier. He would have loved to have stuck around for the party,” said a family statement.
“All River wanted to do was perform and entertain and to think that he will never make us laugh again with his ridiculous impressions and cheeky banter is beyond comprehension. We are so proud of him.”
Tributes for the band Viola Beach from heartbroken fans have flooded social media.
Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens tweeted: “So sorry to hear the news about Viola Beach and their manager. The saddest news. Thinking of all their families at this awful time.”
Ibiza Rocks tweeted: “Saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of @Viola_Beach. Lovely guys & a band we were big fans of at #RocksHQ”.
Coventry rockers The Enemy expressed their sorrow tweeting: “RIP Viola Beach and their manager. Such incredibly tragic and sad news. Thought with the friends and families of all involved x”.
Craig Tarry’s former girlfriend Gemma Hepworth posted a moving tribute on Instagram appealing for Man City fans to clap in the fifth minute of today’s clash against Tottenham in memory of her season ticket holding lifelong Citizen ex.
She said: “Yesterday we tragically lost a very dear friend @craigtarry in a road traffic accident over in Sweden. Tragic circumstances doesn’t even cover it.
“He was on tour with the band he managed, @violabeach four lads, who also sadly died.
“Craig and I spent most of our university days together, we were in a relationship for over two years.”
She continued: “He introduced me to some superb music, a great football team and a wonderful family. He spoke about all of the above with a sparkle in his eye.
“He never gave up on his dream, he sure knew his stuff on musicians and bands, and he managed to create his dream job from that very talent.
“I feel sick to the stomach typing this out, many beautiful memories,” Ms Hepworth added.
“Thinking of you and your family, and the band’s families, at this heartbreaking time.
“Fans and friends of the band and Craig have joined together on Twitter, Craig was a lifelong @mcfcofficial fan, so please join us clapping for Craig in the fifth minute of the #manchestercityfc match today. I’m going to be at the match and I’ll be clapping for you, my lovely. Thanks for the music, Craig.”
Manchester City did pay tribute to season-ticket holder Tarry by holding a minute’s applause five minutes into their match with Tottenham.
The band have previously toured with The Courteeners and worked with Mumford and Sons producer Ian Grimble.
Reports in Sweden suggest the horror crash happened as the bridge over the Södertälje canal in Stockholm was closing after it had been opened to let a vessel sail through.
Its warning lamps were flashing and two barriers were blocking the road.
Witness Jonny Alexandersson told Aftonbladet: “Suddenly there’s a car that pushes past and drives like a maniac. It drives down the left side in towards the barrier. It was driving at least 70-80kph.
“That’s very fast when the rest of us are standing still. He caught the rear view mirror on a taxi.”
Inspector Martin Bergholm said: “For some reason, the car drove through the barriers and crashed down into the canal.”
Other motorists were waiting behind the barrier but it is not yet known whether a boat had already passed or was waiting to pass.
Mr Bergholm added: “The witnesses just saw a car beside them and kind of disappear.”
He said it was not yet known whether the men were wearing seatbelts but added: “That would not have helped them.”
Police received a call at about 2.30am and were first to arrive on the scene, a “maximum five minutes” later.
Mr Bergholm said: “Police arrived first, then the fire brigade who came with fire brigade divers at the scene and found the car and three bodies.
“We didn’t know how many people there were in the car but we found out there were five. Later on, about an hour later, the police divers came and found two more bodies.”
The cause of the accident on the E4 highway in Stockholm’s Södertälje district is being investigated.
A foreign office spokesman said: “We can confirm that five British Nationals died in a car accident in Sweden on 13 February. We are in contact with local authorities and supporting the families at this difficult time.”
RIP Viola Beach and their manager. Such incredibly tragic and sad news. Thought with the friends and families of all involved x
— The Enemy (@theenemyband) February 14, 2016
So sorry to hear the news about Viola Beach and their manager. The saddest news. Thinking of all their families at this awful time.
— Huw Stephens (@huwstephens) February 14, 2016
Saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of @Viola_Beach. Lovely guys & a band we were big fans of at #RocksHQ pic.twitter.com/3yQPxON5or
— Ibiza Rocks (@ibizarocks) February 14, 2016
This story originally appeared in The Sun.
Originally published as Viola Beach car crash: four members of British band and manager killed in Sweden
Star’s voice heard for first time in years
John Farnham is ready to let the world hear his voice, more than two years after undergoing gruelling surgery to remove a tumour in his mouth.
US country music star’s nod to Australia
The country musician is on tour in Australia and cemented his love for the country with a permanent “souvenir”.